Thieves tried to use a pickup truck to steal a cash machine from Waitrose in Mountsorrel last night.

Police were called at about 11.30pm on Thursday and arrived to find that the gang had managed to get inside the premises and then use a Toyota 4x4 to drag the cash machine out of the store in Granite Way.

It is the latest of several similar incidents in recent months, including a successful raid in nearby Rothley in January in which a JCB was used to pull a cash machine out from the wall of a Post Office.

Police believe an Audi was involved in the latest incident in Mountsorrel and have appealed for people to come forward with information.

The police said in a statement: “Enquiries into the incident are ongoing. If anyone witnessed the attempted theft or saw a dark coloured Audi arriving at or leaving the scene, please contact us.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

17:27

Eyewitness saw 'cash machine in bits all over the ground'

Elspeth Williamson-Carr, who cares for a resident who lives nearby, said: “The gentleman I look after said he went there this morning and the cash machine was in bits all over the ground.

“I would have thought Waitrose would have had really good security.”

16:38

'I was fast asleep and didn’t hear anything'

Waitrose in Mountsorrel (Image: Tom Mack)

Christine Bowran, 71, who lives nearby in Loughborough Road, said: “I was fast asleep and didn’t hear anything. I don’t go there very often but I’ve seen the cash machine in the store.

“I don’t like this sort of thing happening so near by.”

16:12Tom Mack

'There’s obviously a gang going around trying this all over'

Tom Rodgers, 59, of Rothley, who was visiting the store, said: “It’s not a big surprise, sadly. There’s obviously a gang going around trying this all over because this happened in Rothley not long ago, too.

“I think the store closes at 10pm so there wouldn’t have been anyone around by 11.30pm. I don’t know if they have security here. It’s a shame.”

16:12Tom Mack

Waitrose spokeswoman declines to comment

A spokeswoman for Waitrose declined to comment and referred the Mercury to the police.

15:52Tom Mack

How shoppers have reacted to attempted ATM theft

Maria Smith, 55, of Loughborough, who was at the store today, said: “I noticed some of the tills were cordoned off inside. I think it’s just a sign of the times and this sort of thing happens more than you think.

“I got burgled in March and was surprised by how many people I told said they had also been burgled.”

15:46Tom Mack

Chairman of Mountsorrel Parish Council: 'They seem to be doing the rounds in this area'

Steve Haywood, chairman of Mountsorrel Parish Council, said: “It’s very unfortunate - they seem to be doing the rounds in this area.

“I’m just glad to hear they got nothing out and that no one got hurt.

“It’s a sign of the times.”

15:30Tom Mack

Shopper: 'It happens all the time, this sort of thing'

One regular shopper at the store, who wished to be identified only as Diane, said: “I heard something had happened here but I didn’t know they tried to steal a cash machine.

“Nothing really surprises me anymore. It happens all the time, this sort of thing.”

15:28Tom Mack

Small area inside store cordoned off including two checkouts

Police tape is still up outside the store and a roller blind covers a window.

Inside the store it is business as usual apart from a small cordoned area which includes two of the shop’s checkouts.

The Mercury is awaiting a statement from Waitrose head office and staff at the branch are not able to speak about what happened.

15:25

Picture: Large hole left in Waitrose after attempted ATM theft

Thieves tried to steal an ATM from Waitrose in Mountsorrel

15:21

'There’s a large hole in front of the Waitrose'

A member of the public said: “There’s a large hole in the front of the Waitrose store and a missing cash machine from inside.”